Edited By Agnibeena Ghosh
Amizmiz, a Moroccan town located 34 miles (55km) south of Marrakesh, has been in turmoil as residents express their frustration and anger towards local authorities, accusing them of delaying aid and neglecting their needs in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. The protest comes weeks after an earthquake struck the region on September 8, causing widespread destruction, with Amizmiz being one of the hardest-hit areas.
The September earthquake, the most severe in Morocco in over 60 years, resulted in the tragic loss of nearly 3,000 lives and left thousands injured and homeless. In the face of such a catastrophe, residents in Amizmiz are now demanding that local authorities do more to support their recovery.
Following the earthquake, authorities established tented camps to shelter displaced families and offered financial assistance to help rebuild their homes. However, residents argue that conditions in the camps have deteriorated, with heavy rains and harsh winds affecting the region and temperatures dropping as winter approaches. The protesters also claim that local authorities have been withholding aid, including tents, from some of the residents who lost their homes.
Despite the withdrawal of the Amizmiz Earthquake Victims’ Coordination group, which initially organized the protest, the demonstration proceeded on 24thOctobe. The group decided to pull out after local authorities made promises to address their concerns.
According to the group, authorities pledged to expedite assistance, including providing new tents to those who had not previously received any, as well as those whose tents had been damaged by the adverse weather conditions. Additionally, local authorities committed to improving sanitation in the camps and ensuring that the displaced residents have access to water and electricity.
In response to the devastating earthquake, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI announced a comprehensive plan to rebuild the affected regions and support the more than 4.2 million people impacted by the disaster. The plan includes a commitment to provide 140,000 Moroccan dirhams in reconstruction aid to each household with a collapsed home and 80,000 dirhams for each household whose home was partially damaged.
Earlier this month, the government began disbursing 2,500 dirhams in monthly assistance to each affected household as part of a year-long cash relief program.
Morocco’s government faced criticism in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake for declining some offers of international aid, despite thousands of people desperately needing urgent assistance. Activists and citizens argued that this was not the time to prioritize sovereignty and national pride over the essential aid needed to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the disaster.
(Source: BBC News)
News Mania Desk / Agnibeena Ghosh 25th October 2023
